Chapter 59 – Conviction and Arrival
He never imagined he would release the weight in his heart… like this.
—Yes.
To be honest, Sakonji Urokodaki had always known. There was a dark cloud looming over his soul—one he could never dispel.
Even though he had once been a Water Hashira—a warrior who had stood tall at the summit of the Demon Slayer Corps—at the end of the day, he was still human.
And no matter how hard or sharp a sword may be… it could never protect a tender heart.
Year after year, he watched his students—those he'd trained with care, like his own children—leave Mount Sagiri with hopeful eyes and dreams in their hearts.
And every time, the only thing that returned… were letters of mourning.
There were too many to count.
So many times, he wanted to quit.
To stop training others.
But deep down, Urokodaki knew this was a duty he couldn't turn away from.
And because of that—
Each time he sent off a new disciple, it felt like he was pushing them off a cliff with his own hands.
That feeling… it was a pain no words could ever express.
All he could do was make the training harsher.
Push them harder. Tougher.
But in the end, the result never changed.
Death.
And so, Urokodaki always blamed himself.
For being unable to protect them.
For failing to give them the strength they needed to survive the Final Selection.
For not being the pillar they could lean on when they needed him most.
To him…
He was never a worthy teacher.
But then—
"…So it wasn't my fault… huh?"
The words slipped from behind his red tengu mask.
The eyes behind that mask shimmered faintly. His voice still rasped with age, but now, there was a new strength beginning to rise within it.
"As a teacher, I've been trapped in regret for far too long… how disgraceful."
"I made you all worry. And… I let you wait for far too long."
His voice echoed quietly, carried by the breeze rolling down the mountain.
That massive boulder still stood tall in the forest clearing, silent as ever.
But to the east, the sky had begun to brighten. A pale light stretched across the horizon.
The first rays of dawn broke through, chasing away the last shadows of the night. The morning mist that clung to the forest began to thin.
—A new day had begun.
Sunlight pierced the clouds, and its warm glow reached their shoulders.
Hikaru slowly turned around. His steps were light, as if the morning wind itself carried him away.
His role here was done.
Helping Urokodaki confront his sorrow… had never been part of his plan.
It simply happened.
A quiet moment of compassion, an unspoken kindness passed between the living and the dead.
He didn't consider it a grand achievement.
Nor did he think he deserved praise.
But just as he began to walk away—
"Hikaru… was it?"
The raspy voice called out behind him.
Hikaru paused.
He turned back slightly.
"…Yes?"
"I don't know if what happened was real… but I want to believe that it was."
Urokodaki's voice had steadied.
To most people, spirits weren't something you simply accepted. Unlike demons—tangible foes that could be slain—spirits were more like illusions or distant legends.
But last night…
For the first time in his life, Urokodaki had seen them.
And he wanted to believe it.
Because deep within his chest… he had felt it.
And that feeling—was far too real to ignore.
"Until now… I was always afraid."
He looked up at the sun now rising high in the sky. His face lifted, allowing the warm light to wash over the red mask that had hidden so much of him.
"I was afraid that Tanjiro would follow the same path as his seniors. That he'd leave this place… and never return."
"Afraid that these hands… would once again send a child into certain death."
"At first, I didn't even want to take him in. He was too kind… too gentle."
"But now, I understand."
"Tanjiro will go further than any of them."
"Because within him… walk the footsteps of those who came before. The ones still watching over him, even from afar."
Urokodaki extended his hand.
He touched the surface of the boulder before him.
The marks of countless sword swings were still carved into it. Not just Tanjiro's—but all of his students'. Their spirits still lingered here… quietly protecting their old master.
"Hikaru…"
"That child… I entrust him to you."
His voice rang firm and low, carrying the weight of years past—but no longer bowed under it.
Hikaru stood silently.
When he turned again, the old man had already started walking away, his figure slowly disappearing into the thinning mist.
Only his silhouette remained… steady and resolute.
"Hmph… what a stubborn old man."
Hikaru let out a small laugh and shook his head.
This had never been in his plan.
He had expected convincing the man would be difficult. He thought even his sword would only prove a fragment of his intentions.
He'd had ideas—but none solid.
But now… everything had fallen into place.
"This world… is kind to those who are kind."
With a faint smile, Hikaru raised his hand, letting the golden light of morning spill across his palm.
Then he turned to face the distant mountains.
"They're here already? That was fast…"
A quiet chuckle escaped his lips.
— — —
In the distance, flower petals danced on the breeze.
A lone figure approached Mount Sagiri swiftly, where the morning sun had already begun to chase the mist away.
This was the place.
The mountain Shinobu had spoken of—the training ground overseen by the Hashira of Void, Hikaru.
The wind carried the scent of dew and soil.
A long white haori fluttered behind the approaching figure.
Her hair, long and straight with crimson tips, shimmered beautifully in the light.
In her heart echoed the words from Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, sent via private letter:
"Kanao Tsuyuri. You've been granted early access to Final Selection training."
"Go to Mount Sagiri, and receive instruction from the Hashira of Void—Hikaru."
"Make the most of this chance."
As Shinobu's adopted daughter, Kanao Tsuyuri never argued.
She rarely spoke.
She simply obeyed.
She moved only when directed by those she trusted.
And now… she had arrived.
Without question. Without hesitation.
She stepped across the invisible threshold of Mount Sagiri.
— — —
Elsewhere, panicked shouting echoed through the woods.
"Aaaaah, I'm scared! Why do I have to come to a place like this?!"
"I don't wanna join the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"Wait—he's not gonna be here, right!? Crap… I've got the worst luck ever!!"
A boy in a yellow haori sprinted through the trees, his face pale with dread. His steps were frantic, yet somehow still guided him toward the mountain's peak.
Something rustled behind him. Something… chasing him.
From the clearing, Hikaru glanced toward the sound with a neutral expression. Then he turned and walked toward the wooden house nestled within the woods.
"Ah, Nezuko! You really came… I thought I was dreaming!"
A cheerful voice called out from inside.
"Yes, Nii-chan."
Nezuko smiled softly.
"I came… to help you."
Hikaru stood at the doorway for a moment, watching the siblings.
And from afar, new silhouettes began to approach the mountain—
Training was about to begin.
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